Block 1912 Cafe

This cafe was one of my favourite spots to go to back when I lived here in Edmonton. I had hoped that it was still here when I came back for a visit. The coffee was great as usual. Great ambience and location. 👍😎

A cozy, charming, and atmospheric place. They offer a wide variety of desserts and display beautiful paintings that you can purchase. However, there are a few minor issues that could be easily fixed. Occasionally, some of the tableware is chipped or damaged, which negatively affects the establishment’s reputation. Also, one wall looks terrible — it’s dirty and patched up with plaster in several spots. And I would also add some music 🙂

The coffee is great, especially the iced coffee, and the atmosphere is awesome so good to drink a coffee and Cill, the gelato was not gelato it was ice cream and I don’t not find it tasty. The other food items are good tho! Would recommend and an awesome location.

We went to try their pistachio cake. I don’t know what’s the hype but it is just a normal sweet cake. Latte and ganache mocha coffee are just ok. Sandwiches have big portions and the beef and quinoa soup are just ok for me. The ambience is a little dim so if you want to have a low-key or quiet date on a weekday, this is for you. There are a lot of tables so there is a space for everyone. Parking is available on the other block and you can just walk to the cafe. They have vegetarian options as well.

Their pistachio cake is a must try for anyone who loves pistachio. The atmosphere was cozy and vibrant, though a bit noisy during peak hours. Nice spot coffee spot to hangout with friends!

My go to place for desert on Whyte Ave, I really love to their sweets, I had their Tiramisu today, and it was phenomenal, and their pistachio cake was also really good. Our server was super friendly and gave us some great recommendations.

Coffee was delicious. But i find service a little slow. Coffee shop was packed when i was there, love seeing local business thrive.

It is a really nice place. The atmosphere is so comfy and the music is not crazy loud like other places. You can enjoy your quiet reading with a cup of tea/coffee. Not very busy place. Definitely will visit again (to try the pistachio cake 😅)

This cafe has a really nice interior. There was recorded jazz playing when we were there. Got a peach smoothie. It was a bit icey but the peach flavour was good

I've been to Block 1912 a few times now. It's a nice cafe with a comforting atmosphere on Whyte Ave. They have a nice drink menu so I'd give them 8.3/10.

Block 1912 has been a long-held favourite for me, and for good reason. The ambience is relaxing and welcoming, and the food is always on point. It can be tricky to find parking around Whyte ave, especially during festival season ( I miss living in the area and walking), but it's well worth the trip any time of year!

london fogs are really good! same with matcha and deserts, presentation was nice and the ambience was amazing. great first date spot.

Finally got the time to visit this renowned cafe for its bakery goods and hot chocolate in edmonton. All my excitement started fading when i finally reached the cafe. To started with, tables were not clean properly with crumbs lying on them. Somehow we managed to get the somewhat clean table. Even washrooms were so unhygienic that you can't think of using them again. Coming to order, i read a lot about their hot chocolate that it is best in town but unfortunately it didn't taste wow or something different. But i liked the block 1912 tiramisu slice which saved my visit here. Well, my visit filled with disappointment will not let me to come here soon anytime.

My first visit here was a great experience :) The staff members were friendly and helpful, space has nice warm ambiance, most tables spread apart for distancing, great selection of daily fresh-made in-house desserts and tasty drinks! My friend & I shared the Lavender Custard Cake - its a pretty decent size between 2 people for a light evening snack there's small layers of chocolate cake stacked between layers of white custard with awesome lightly sweet lavender icing one of the best not-obnoxiously-sweet specialty cakes I've had in a while! And the London Fog flavoured with lavender - divine Definitely in my top 3 best fogs in the city And definitely coming back to try more stuff on the menus - especially the daily fresh deserts - so fancy

Apple cider small was $4.20 total. It was nice. There was a cinnamon stick in there and the drink was on the sweeter side so I ordered ice water with it! It's a nice homey place to hang out. The lights are dim and feels sort of like a cabin on the inside

This place is so good! Their lavender latte is amazing. There's lots of seating, the dessert display is unreal! I didn't try any the last time I was there but next time I for sure will. The staff are friendly but also are the kind of staff who won't bug you and just sort of leave you alone - which can be nice. It's whyte ave so parking isn't great which is a pain but if you're on whyte definitely swing by and give it a shot!

Went to this place just before Covid-19 blew up. Nice cozy little cafe. They have ample seating. Couches and regular chairs. Books you can read on the shelves. Would be nice to go with a good book or a labtop and hang out. I got a Latte and Tiramisu. Mmm mm! I honestly can't recall prices. A friend covered me. If things ever go back to normal, you will definitely catch me there again!

Before the renovations, I've known this place for the yummy gelato and desserts. Now I notice you can eat a light meal (eg. sandwich or soup), in addition to a drink and dessert. The venue layout and ambience is casual, cool and urban. I find the dim lighting helps to make the experience seem more intimate and private. There are small tables for 2-3 people, as well as larger cozy chairs seated next to coffee tables. From what I've experienced, the desserts look as delicious as they taste! There's a wide variety of tasty options from fruit to chocolate flavors. The portions are also quite large. I shared a slice of tiramisu ($7) and a large peanut butter and chocolate tart ($7) with 2 friends. We each had a decent sampling of both desserts. My sweet tooth was satisfied. Overall, I've been happy with my experiences here. For a sit down meal, there are better options along Whyte Ave. However, to satisfy your sweet tooth, I highly recommend Block 1912 for some dessert!

5 stars for ambience and drinks, 3 stars for desserts. This is definitely a go to if you're on Whyte and fancy a hot beverage (or cocktail!) and dessert. The interior is cozy and warm with wood floors and pretty lighting - think exposed bulbs - and book shelves full of books to borrow. They have free, fast WiFi and during the week it's a good place to come and tinker on your laptop or people watch out the windows. I've tried a handful of desserts here and they have all been gorgeously prepared but I have yet to be blown away by the taste. Definitely on my repeat list anyway though! They make a mean Negroni ;)

Block 1912 is an inviting yet classic cafe located in a historic building in Old Strathcona. The environment is very cozy and relaxing; it is spacious with many comfortable seating options. Upon entering, you are presented with unique and old-school furnishings with interesting knick-knacks and art. The antique decorations is really welcoming and creates a cozy atmosphere. I would describe this place as perfect for a group of friends or classmates. The baked goods and desserts are absolutely a treat! In particular, I love the Pistachio Mousse Cake. It was super light, rich, and flavorful; the deep flavors of the pistachio paired beautifully with the dessert. I would recommend ordering it! Their Gelatos and different flavor options are also very nice! I liked the Passion-fruit and Chocolate: both were super great and I liked the bright flavor of the Passion-fruit -- it really went well with the smooth texture. I found the service to be very friendly but one of my only complaints is their cleanliness. The place definitely could be more maintained especially the washrooms. Moreover, parking can be quite the hassle which is fair -- it's not their fault this part of town is usually busy. Overall, I'd definitely stop by if you're ever in Whyte Avenue and haven't tried it out already. This place is super popular and everyone should try it at least once or twice. Definitely a longstanding competitor for the traffic in this busy sector of town!

It has been years since I have been to Block 1912, but I was nearby with friends, and we weren't ready to call it a night, so we decided to venture into Block 1912 to fulfill our dessert craving. It is still the cozy establishment that I remember, and the desserts (to my memory) seem much improved. You have your selection of eclairs to panna cotta to cheesecake. Price is pretty good given the portion size (price varies per dessert). It was quite stuffy when we went in the summer, but feels a lot more comfortable with the cooler weather. It's always pretty busy in here, but there are tons of tables, so just have a look around. I'm never a fan of the parking situation on Whyte, but I would definitely come here again if I'm in the area. You have to clear your own table, and get your own water at the end of the counter.

At this point, with how many times I go, I would consider block 1912 a staple in Edmonton. Located in the heart of Whyte Ave, this place is always my go-to place for coffee/dessert cravings. Their desserts are always drool-worthy. Every time I go, I would always get their cheesecakes! It's so decadent and smooth, it's just a must! I also enjoy a vanilla latte at block 1912. Simple, but definitely hits me in the right spots. The one thing is that I wish it had a little bit more lighting. I know that they are trying to set the mood, however when studying or doing work, it is hard to see. Although, the aesthetic in this place is very beautiful and has that modern mixed with a hipster vibe. I will be back. Guaranteed.

Block 1912 is a coffeeshop that I always love stopping in when I'm around Whyte Ave, which isn't all the much unfortunately. The other day my friend and I were in the area, and she hadn't been to Block 1912, which just isn't right (she's from here too). So we popped in, mostly to take a break from the heat but also for some caffeine. I got an iced coffee with oat milk delicious, and a breakfast sandwich that had egg, spinach, bacon, and cheese. I always get tempted by the desserts, but being lactose intolerant I figured I'd stay away from the cheesecake, for the sake of my friend (plus it was only 10am, maybe save dessert for later). In any case I always love the atmosphere of Block 1912, the mismatched couches and chairs, and the staff are always friendly. I'm glad to see they're still here even with Covid, and I'll be sure to stop by again when I'm in the area.

I have walked past this place many times but I've never gone in. Last week a couple of us wanted some dessert so we tried this place out. They have a wonderful selection of dessert and gelato. Stuff that other restaurants don't have a very unique desserts. I got a London fog And the peanut butter chocolate cheesecake in a cup. Both were very good. My husband got redone and cakes which were just OK. The atmosphere is great they have big garage doors and they were wide open on a beautiful summer day and the place was packed. The Decour is very nice I would recommend going the next time you're on White Avenue

Block 1912! Famous for those amazing desserts. My partner and I went here for a little date the other day to grab some cheesecakes. It was a tough decision- they all looked irresistible. We settled on Oreo cheesecake and a big piece of chocolate pecan cake. Both were phenomenal! I also love this spot because of the vibe. It's always busy, but you will probably have no trouble finding somewhere to sit- whether it be at a table or on a cozy couch or armchair. They also open up their storefront to a patio right on the Ave. Such a great spot to sit in nice weather- there's always so much happening! I also noticed last time that they have a book exchange. This is genius, and will keep me coming back again and again. Treat yoself- go have some cake!

I actually love the ambiance of this place. The cappuccino is actually pretty good.Unfortunately for my wife,she ordered the cafe mocha and tiramisu and got really sick. She ended up spending the night vomiting! We actually gave this place a second chance. This time we both ordered cappuccino and carrot cake.. well, the carrot cake was reaaaaaly dry. What a disappointment.

I'd say the vibe of this place is Starbucks meets City Hall Library meets Italian Bakery, has a lot going on. Great coffee and desserts, nonetheless. Doesn't take away from the quality of a wholesome coffee shop! Apologies for the poor quality, travel fatigue induced photos.

I love this place! I've been a customer since before the renovations, and I've got to say, I love the new book nook and how open the whole space feels. Dessert-wise, this place is incredible! Their cakes, fancy coffees, and ganache hot chocolate (ganache hot chocolate!) are absolutely to die for. Super rich, and while the cakes are expensive, you get pretty hefty slices. My only critique in this area is that, with the tiramisu at least, they go way overboard with the alcohol. Maybe I came in on a bad day or something, but that was a tiramisu-like float. It was drowning in alcohol in the worst way. Their savoury food is also low-quality. I've never once had savoury food there that I could force myself to finish. But the desserts and drinks are so, SO good that I can still give it a strong 5 stars!

Items Selected: Brownie Cream Puff Plum Crumble Caramel Maple Pecan Tart Located not far from The University of Alberta, a fact that is fairly obvious as throngs of 20-somethings pack the tables from opening until late night, Block 1912 seems a more polarizing place amongst those serious about food, an eight o'clock Thursday evening visit showing the well-stocked Dessert case genuinely appealing as relates to looks, though perhaps a bit less so in terms of taste. Located on trendy 82 Avenue NW, the free-after-18:00 metered parking around it full of those visiting clubs, restaurants and lounges nearby, it was following a brisk walk in the chilly night air that I found myself perusing rows upon rows of Cakes, Cookies and Puddings, three of them more appealing than the rest with a small table near the library luckily opening up just as a smiling young server completed the plating. Unable to warm items from the case without a wait, the space admittedly packed with just two women pulling triple duties as cashier, server and barista, it was not long after pictures were snapped that a fork pierced boiled frosting surrounding a pile of stewed Plums and buttery Streudel, the flavor unfortunately trending more sugar than fruit while the "Brownie Cream Puff" was an across-the-board failure, the base thick with low-quality chocolate while the Choux had turned soggy. Told that Tarts were Block 1912's highlight by a server elsewhere, the options ranging from Matcha to S'mores, it was with hopes of saving the best till last that I cracked through a crunchy Praline lattice atop a mound of smooth Maple Cream, the base a gooey pile of toasted Nuts and Brown Sugar that was downright decadent - a proper restaurant-quality dish for just seven Canadian dollars.

Today I been thinking and craving an amazing dessert with chocolate. As I was waking the streets of Edmonton in search of such a think, I came across this place and decided to walk in. I wanted chocolate and there are many options, however decided on Chocolate Marquis - definitely what I was looking for. Totally recommend the place as a favourite!

Even though I greatly missed the cozy couches from the pre renovated Block 1912, I have to admit that I enjoy the new look. I love the dim lights during the evening while enjoying a fresh espresso base beverage with a yummy dessert. The selection of dessert is top notch and I enjoy the rotation of selection of desserts. Don't forget to try the gelato when they have live music (sometimes it can be overly loud). This place is not really recommended for drip coffee as this place is popular for lattes, cappuccinos, mochas, teas, etc. I find that it is hard to get fresh brew. Love Laura

The warmest most welcoming place on Whyte Ave. Their dark mochas are devine. I'm going to have husband come with me to pick out ice creams soon.

If I could give a negative number I would. Served a dirty cup and saucer of lcoffee twice. Served stale cake from display case. Food not covered and sits there all day. Terrible experience. Bathrooms filthy. Exit doors blocked by junk. Reported to AHS. Tthink twice and go elsewhere.

I'm sure this cafe hasn't been here for 100 years but I was introduced to this place during their 100 year old building celebration. Balloons, 5 lavish cakes and live music rounded out the day. Its an interesting decor with cozy sofas, mismatched chairs and tables but with warm colors and yummy smells. I really like that they offer coffee, tea, espresso, food, gelato and best of all alcohol! You can everything your heart desires. I'm not sure how much a scoop of gelato normally is but $4.50 for 1 scoop seems pretty steep. But the rent at this part of Whyte probably justifies it. Block 1912 knows how to throw a great century party!

The food and sweets there are just plain amazing. I crave them everyday and anyday. I just wish they didnt change their cakes often. Theres one that I absolutely love the white chocolate and peach ohh it was the best!

Nice selection of coffee and cakes, better atmosphere to read and talk. I found this place only recently but it is becoming one of my favorite meeting place over dessert cakes. I like their smooth lighting and comfy sofa, which make a perfect selfie spot! I like their casual environment with not too loud music. It is conveniently located on whyte ave around my favourite restaurants. I would have appreciated more if they had different kinds of desserts such as mousse cakes or cheese cakes. The days I visited, they have all sorts of chocolate-based cakes. Because the cakes were so rich and sweet, I ordered only an americano one day and a black coffee another day. Also they served a decadent chocolate cake with a huge steak fork, which I found strange. The environment is pretty casual so it didn't bother me much. I would go again for sure.

I came with high expectations as my little sister had just visited two days before and had an amazing experience, but unfortunately I have severe allergies to nuts and peanuts. Luckily, there are signs that are supposed to list all major allergens that the dessert has. I decided on a carrot cake, pleasantly surprised that it was listed as nut free. Just to make sure though, I checked with the girl at the register to see if there were nuts, and was curtly told that the sign would state so if it did. I sat down to eat my cake and found what I assumed to be a raisin, which I put aside. My friend ate it and told me it was a walnut. This misinformation is incredibly dangerous and could put a customer in the hospital. I did end up with a reaction myself, and the staff was dismissive and unresponsive to the situation. I left without a refund or even an apology, but the sign without the nuts warning was promptly removed. Allergies are serious life threatening issue, and need to be taken more seriously here.

Very beautiful place and peaceful ambiance. Really enjoyed their coffee and dessert. Highly recommend to drop by if you're around whyte ave.

First the coffee and lattes are very good. The service is always great, and there is ample seating. Now for the desserts. They always look so good behind the glass. To be honest I have gone with my wife a handful of times, and every time we have been super disappointed with the dessert. Usually kinda dry, and not much flavour. Kinda disheartening when you're paying top dollar for the product. Our last couple of times to the whyte ave area we were tempted to stop in, but we have decided not to. Sorry but I don't see ya returning anytime soon.

This is my second time visiting this cafe. The atmosphere is very nice and trendy. It also always seems to be busy doesn't matter the time of day. I've also found the service to be pretty good. The first time I got a blondie, although very rich (had to eat it over the course of 3 days) it was delicious. The second time I ordered a carrot cake and was very disappointed. I paid $7.35 for pretty much pure cream cheese and walnuts. There was more cream cheese on the cake than the actual cake itself! I am pretty sure the icing was just cream cheese straight from the tub. It sure as hell did not taste like icing at all. I should've known something was up with it because it was the only dessert left completely untouched (its row was still full). I hope it was just an off night in the kitchen because I don't recommend ordering it and I wouldn't in the future.

"Oh my god why are there carrots and vegetables n shit in my lasagna?!" -friend. So at 1912 you order the desserts and coffee, NOT their food. We make special trips to whyte just for the desserts here. They look like they were made by magical unicorn centaurs and taste even better! Their coffee/espresso items are done consistently well and pair perfectly. I'm sad they didn't fix the "2 lines for ice cream" problem when they did renos. It's a super bummer to have to wait in line when it's busy for 5-10 minutes to order ice cream/gelato and then stand in a second line for just as long to pay. You might just be able to leave your empty bowl at the till when you pay if you're lucky. Lol. And back to the lasagna.. it had carrots and peppers and a gravy sauce. No tomatoes/tomato sauce at all. Very strange. Not lasagna. We will continue to be regulars for desert and coffee and watching strange humans walk by out front:)

Do yourself a favour and get the white ganache mocha! I gotta say, this is a great place to lounge with friends, study, or just come to warm up after walking whyte ave in the cold

I came here on a Tuesday evening at around 6 pm to meet a friend for a warm bevie before we watched a movie at the Princess. I was really shocked that it was not more busy as only about 4 tables were occupied. For those of you who know this place, know they have tons of seating and room. I ordered a London Fog $4 and found it surprisingly small for what you pay for. I like the ambience in here and this place would be good for a first date as they have numerous couches. They also serve gelato and other desserts but I wasn't in the mood to have anything sweet after the holiday sugar craze....next time.

I have such mixed feelings about this place. The first time I had come here was really quite a disaster - a mess of dissatisfied costumers bringing back the wrong drinks, people bring served quickly and others forgotten about .. not to mention the line out the door probably due to the young new staff trying to work the iPad for orfers. It was horribly disorganized and I probably would have given 3 stars based off of that. However I came back yesterday to give it another shot and my experience this time was really nice. It was late in the evening and there wasn't many people there. I got their coffee plum crumble and a chai latte, the boyfriend got their tiramisu and a latte. The chai was good! The only odd part were the bits at the bottom of the cup that j found a little displeasing - but still good regardless. I really enjoyed the crumble it is something I'd certainly come back for. Not too sweet, great combination of flavors - yum!! I really do enjoy the vibe of this place .. when it's not busy. I wouldn't come back during a busy time but for an evening coffee/dessert I definitely would!! Overall I think you should check this place out if you're on Whyte Ave.

We stopped by here for some late night dessert. The options were limited. Staff did not refill gelato despite running low on almost every flavour. The rest of the dessert selection was mostly sold out for the day. We ordered a tiramisu, panna cotta and cheesecake raspberry eclair. Desserts tasted good. Ambiance is casual. Plenty of seating available. Service is minimal. You pick your item, pay and seat yourself.

After eating in Korean restaurant we decided to have dessert in here. One of my favourite cafes in whyte ave. They have a wide selection of desserts. The atmosphere of the place is nice and quite. If you like to read books they have a mini library inside where you can read while enjoying your mousse or gelato.

This is place is a hot study and meeting spot- it is always very busy when I visit. The atmosphere is inviting and cozy. My pal and I snagged a comfy sofa spot and enjoyed some delicious decaf Americanos. I also ordered the earl grey creme brûlée which was to die for! All of their desserts and gelato flavours looked amazing.

When I lived in Edmonton, Block 1912 was one of my go-to coffee shops. When I returned for a visit this winter, I had to go back. It's had a swanky new renovation since that looks AMAZING and makes it a go-to spot for locals. The ambience is casual, relaxed and urban. The lighting is dim, but not so dim that you can't see your friends or your drinks. Just dim enough to make you feel at home. There are dozens of tables and cozy chairs for proper lounging. Their chai latte's are my favourite, but you can't go wrong with their coffees or mochas either. And their desserts! Yum! You're gonna want to fill your sweet tooth with their tasty treats.

Checked-out staff, piss-warm coffee and pastries to not die for served up in return for far too much coin. Seriously, we laid down on counter $15 of hard-earned treasure and walked away after one bite and one sip each. That was after the young lady behind counter zapped my coffee in the microwave. I ordered the black eye albeit dark roast coffee with an espresso shot accompanied by cinnamon and apple scone. The coffee was tepid and micro waving the scone was a very bad idea. She-who-must-be-obeyed ordered a chocolate and nut biscotti with an extra hot, low-fat latte chaser. Seriously, we walked away after one bite and one sip each. Keep walking.

We walked in from the cold because we wanted yummy desserts and hot delicious coffee... We were greeted by an unfriendly guy behind the counter while we were in awe of the great looking desserts. He seemed impatient and wanted us to speed up? My sister choose the cream brulé while I had the walnut tart and a decafe Americano. The coffee was simply great but my dessert was very rich and sweet. My sisters creme Brulè was awesome not too sweet and the honey covered fruit was just delicious. After we sat we notice that it wasn't too busy for a Tuesday night. Then we saw the steady stream of ppl piling in 2-3 at a time and the server behind the counter grew frustrated ... I shouldn't be focusing on him but when I asked for a box because I couldn't finish my dessert he snapped at me! Told me to "wait!" I wasn't trying to rush him I understand he was doing something but I caught him when there was no one around and before another small rush. I told him that I'm in no rush and I sat down fast. My sister laughed and told me to take his pic and write grumpy for the caption. No... I wouldn't do that because that would be rude. I have been going to Block 1912 since I was in junior high school so I will definitely be back. They have great desserts, beverages and a nice atmosphere to relax in all year round. I think we caught that server having an off day because the service here is usually pretty good.

It was my second time visiting Block 1912 and I had yet another mediocre experience. I ordered the London fog and carrot cake and the flavours were very basic. The London fog was better as I don't like mine sweet anyway but the cake was dry and the icing bland. This location is always very busy and quite loud but even more so in the summer.

I feel bad for giving Block 1912 only three stars on my first review. It's one of the classic establishments on Whyte that I hope will never leave. Block 1912 got me hooked on London Fogs, and now I am scouring the city, discerning other places that will give me the same sweet, frothy rush. Guess you can call me a London Fog junkie. It's just so nice to sit in this laid-back cafe and nurse a huge cup of tea during the cold months, or grab a gelato float for your stroll down Whyte Ave in the summer. I don't know which I love more, the drinks or the mismatched chairs and couches here ... now that I think about it, Block 1912 kind of reminds me of Central Perk on "Friends". The same casual ambiance, same relaxing and cozy atmosphere. I only wish I had more excuses to stop by more often!

THIS PLACE IS THE GREATEST PLACE EVER. Picture this - you and your friends are laughing and walking on whyte after a long day of exams and running around to do errands, and where would you go other than the infamous Block 1912 FOR PERFECT DESSERT SHARING? answer: nowhere I've been going here before the renovations, and I'm so glad that the ambiance of this place didn't change. It's so homey and open and the little lights on the ceiling makes it look so chic. The couches, the tables, the laughter - everything about this place is the epitome of those perfect cafes that you read about in books or see in movies. Guys, this place is the in real life Edmonton version of fictional cafes. That's pretty amazing. The london fog ($4/5) is so delicious - perfect amount of sweetness and the desserts are just so wonderful. I could literally live there and just eat desserts everyday. I would gain so much weight but it's okay, that's just how good these cakes are. My personal fave is the tiramisu! My friend loves getting a chocolate biscotti with her lattes here as well. I have yet to try the actual savoury food, but according to all my friends, it is definitely worth it. If you haven't checked block out yet, I definitely recommend it. It's honestly a personal favourite and such a cute spot.

How could I possibly walk past this place for so many years without ever going inside? I've probably walked past about 200 times, yet it never appealed to me. After reading these great reviews though, I could not resist. And as soon as I walked in, I realized that the outside of this place does not do the inside any justice. Block 1912 is big and beautiful with its hardwood floors, antique-like tables and chairs, and Egyptian art on the walls. Wow. It's the perfect ambiance for relaxing by yourself, chatting with some friends, or even going for a first date. The lighting in here is just perfect too--not too bright and not too dim--just a nice glow. I thought most of the food in the display cases looked delicious, but I was apprehensive about it as well. From my experience, I've found that cafes usually have amazing desserts and drinks, but the food is mediocre or bad. Even though the mini samosas looked delicious, I passed. The pies, cakes, and cheesecakes looked delicious, however, so I decided to get a slice of the raspberry cheesecake. This came with a light whipped cream. The cake was just over five dollars, which I actually though was rather reasonable, since The Cheesecake Cafe charges over seven dollars for a smaller slice. I sat down at a small table and after my first bite of the cheesecake, I was hooked. It was creamy and so yummy. The white chocolate pieces made this even better. It was one of the best cheesecakes I've ever had, and I think it was actually better than The Cheesecake Cafe's cakes! Sorry! I'll be coming back here--most definitely. In fact, I'm looking forward to it.

I love this coffee shop. It looks small from the outside, but it is actually huge inside. You can get almost anything here, from a coffee or a chai latte (they make their own chai here), to a cake (they have full cakes for sale, or if you are having a snack, they sell them by the slice as well), to a sandwich (they even have combo options) to gelato (they have great flavors - from tiramisu to lemon). We stopped in here for a quick latte grab and I was impressed with the flavor of my latte and how hot it was, but I was unimpressed with the price. It cost us $11 for a latte and a tea latte. That is more than starbucks! Other than the price, I really love this place because it is local and they have such a great range of food and drinks available. No matter the weather outside, you can come into Block 1912 and cool down with a gelato or heat up with a chai latte.

After being here a few more times, I've had the chance of trying out some of the food and some of the other drinks as well. I think Block 1912 is a pretty neat establishment. Gelato, quiches, coffee, wine, nice desserts etc. are part of this cafe. It's more than just a regular old coffee shop. The space is so huge inside that it's fairly easy to get seated here, unless you drop in on a Saturday afternoon.. but Saturdays are tough days in general, on Whyte. I would go here more often than I would do some of the other coffee shops (except for Luzzara :-) ), so in that sense I'd like to rate it pretty well. Three corners of the block on Whyte and 104th are coffee shops. This is the best of them because it's great for several other things as well. Try the macchiato, it's pretty good too.

This place is a Whyte Ave staple. A little haven right slap bang in the middle of the bustling street. I love to pop in for a coffee in the winter or ice cream in the summer. In the summer time they open the front right up so you can dine on the street. You'll think you are sipping a real Italian coffee on the streets of Rome. Fabulous. The interior has undergone a renovation of which I whole heartedly approve. Still keeps the same relaxed atmosphere, with cosy corners to curl up in, read a book (from their cute library section), do some work, study, or just watch the world go by. All with delicious desserts that you will struggle to choose between. They all look so damn tasty! I love their quick lunch options that they serve in mason jars. The cucumber dill salad is a win and you can get it to go if you are on the run. Do yourself a favour and get an ice cream. So many flavours. You'll thank me for it.